MBC reported exclusively that police investigations revealed a plan by Noh Sang Won, one of the key figures in the December 3 martial law case, to torture members of the National Election Commission (NEC) staff to extract statements about election fraud.
According to testimony from Colonel Jeong of the Defense Security Command obtained by MBC, Noh instructed Jeong during a meeting at a Lotteria near Sangnok Station in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, on November 17, saying, “If we catch and interrogate those involved in election fraud, the truth about election fraud will come out. Prepare tools like baseball bats, pliers, and cable ties.” During this meeting, Noh also reminded Jeong of the mission to detain NEC staff. The report confirmed that Intelligence Commander Moon Sang Ho was also present at the meeting.
Noh specifically stated that he would personally interrogate NEC Chairman Noh Tae Ak. During another meeting with Colonel Jeong at the same location on December 1, two days before the declaration of martial law, Noh said, “I will handle Noh Tae Ak myself. Bring the baseball bat to my office,” implying the use of torture. He added, “People who do not speak properly will confess under threat,” further suggesting the possibility of torturing the chairman and NEC staff.
There was also evidence that Noh directed another DSC officer, Colonel Kim, to bring NEC staff to a conference room, locate the administrator of the NEC’s website, and instruct them to post a confession about election fraud.
SBS independently confirmed similar reports. The broadcaster reported that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) secured testimony indicating that Noh coerced NEC staff to post false admissions of election fraud on its website, effectively fabricating claims to align with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s allegations of election irregularities.
The CIO confirmed that during the first Lotteria meeting on December 1, known to be where the martial law declaration was planned, Noh explicitly outlined the plan to take control of the election commission.
According to the CIO, evidence was obtained during the first Lotteria meeting on December 1, where Noh explicitly discussed plans to seize control of the NEC. Witnesses testified that Noh ordered, “Tie up anyone who resists with cable ties.” He also reportedly sought to stage a fake confession on the NEC’s website to create the appearance that election fraud had occurred, lending legitimacy to the martial law declaration.
Media reports also emphasized that Noh personally expressed his determination to interrogate the NEC chairman, stating, “I will handle Noh Tae Ak myself.”
The CIO believes that a prior meeting, held at the same Lotteria on November 17, was used to rehearse plans. Testimonies from that meeting indicate that Noh said, “If we round up everyone involved in election fraud and interrogate them, the truth will come out,” again hinting at violent methods.
Noh orchestrated plans to seize complete control of the NEC and force false admissions, justifying the declaration of martial law. The CIO is conducting further investigations based on witness testimony to uncover the full scope of the case.
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